Washington State Contractor and U.S. Treasury Official Receive Top Honors at MED Week Conference

WASHINGTON – A woman-owned general contractor from Tacoma, Wash., and a federal contracting official for the Department of Treasury were announced as winners of major awards by the U.S. Small Business Administration during a luncheon held today at the 29th National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week conference.

Karen Say, president of Saybr Contractors, Inc. of Tacoma Wash., received the 8(a) Graduate of Firm of the Year award and Teresa L.G. Lewis, director of the Office of Small Business Programs for the Department of Treasury’s Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization, received the Administrator’s Leadership award.

“We are recognizing these two extraordinary women because of their excellence in federal contracting. Karen Say secured more than $50 million in 8(a) contracts before graduating from the 8(a) program and Teresa Lewis works hard to make sure that small businesses receive their fair share of contracting opportunities from Treasury, resulting in four of the agency’s five prime contracting goals being met for fiscal year 2010,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. “When contract dollars get into the hands of small business owners, it’s a win-win for the agencies, the small businesses and the nation’s economy.”

The theme for this year’s MED Week event is “Emerging Industries & Markets: A Blueprint for Success,” and it is co-hosted by the SBA and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency.

Karen Say founded Saybr Contractors, Inc. in 1997, filling a narrow niche for upgrading underground storage tanks. It didn’t take long for the woman-owned general contractor to expand its portfolio to include construction services, fuel systems services, alternative fuels services, sitework and environmental services. This expansion helped the company weather the economic downturn in 2001 and so did its 8(a) certification. The company’s 8(a) certification helped Saybr secure more than $50 million in 8(a) contracts before graduating from the program.

Teresa L.G. Lewis, director of Small Business Programs for The Department of Treasury’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationAdministrator’s Leadership Award

Teresa Lewis has served as director of Small Business Programs at Treasury since March 2008. As director, Lewis’ goal is to ensure that small businesses are able to market their goods and services to the Department of Treasury and receive their fair share of contracting opportunities. Under Lewis’ direction, the Department of Treasury met four of its five prime contracting goals in fiscal year 2010, including goals for small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses and women-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.